In collaboration with Organix
As you may remember, this year we’ve been working with Organix on their #NoJunkJourney, encouraging families to try and improve their diet. We’ve looked at weaning, feeding toddlers and snacking. Now we’re in December, it’s time to think about that big festive foodie event, CHRISTMAS!
So many of our festive traditions and memories surround food, but it can be quite a stressful time in the kitchen. Trying to keep everyone happy, trying to get over excitable little ones to eat something other than treats and all whilst juggling gift buying and socialising.
Being totally honest (my twins are now almost 5), not all of our Christmas lunches have been easy with them. We have had overtired grumps and tantrums on occasion.
I’d like to think I’ve learned a few things over the last couple of years, so here are some of my top tips for keeping your family Christmas lunch, happy for everyone!
- Prepare as much as you can in advance. Take time to think and plan, so that you really can make as many side dishes or desserts in advance. It makes such a difference on the day.
- On that note, don’t feel guilty if you buy veg ready prepared or other helping cheats for the big day. It will help keep the chef happy and sane and allow you to have time with the family as well as in the kitchen.
- Think about what time you eat, it doesn’t need to be traditional 1 o’clock, try later and allow more time for the kids to have played with their toys and settle down. (I really like twilight Christmas lunch, with candles twinkling.)
- Go out for a walk before lunch if you can. I really find that a bit of fresh air works up everyone’s appetite and makes the meal so much more enjoyable.
- Make sure that you buy disposable tin foil trays for cooking as many dishes as possible in. Less washing up afterwards keeps everyone happy.
- Make sure there are some healthy snacks around. It’s easy to get caught up in eating all of the treats at Christmas, but if fruit (or Organix selection boxes!) are on display, boths adults and kids are more likely to occasionally make healthy choices.
- Get everyone to help, don’t be afraid to ask. Even the little ones can help. Mine love being praised for helping to lay the table and those little helping hands can make a big difference.
- Most importantly, don’t sweat the small stuff. You forgot the peas or the gravy isn’t your best ever? No one will really care. Don’t worry!
Organix make a fantastic alternative Christmas selection box, for a slightly healthier box of treats. My two loved them. I included them in my Christmas Eve box last year too if you fancy watching the video below:
(I love G’s face in this photo!)
I hope you found my tips useful, do you have any of your own? We’d love to know! Happy Christmas!
Disclosure: This is a post sponsored by Organix although all opinions are my own and improving the diet of our children is a cause I feel strongly about. This post contains affiliate links.
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The post Tips for Family Friendly Christmas Lunch appeared first on Taming Twins.